Celtics looking to matchup with Nets | Celtics Insider |

Celtics Insider

Celtics looking to matchup with Nets

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WALTHAM -- The Celtics are currently looking up in the Atlantic Division standings at the first-place Nets, who will provide the opposition tomorrow night.

The Celts are well aware that the team from Brooklyn is for real.

"They’re a good team," said Doc Rivers. "I don’t think we needed 13 games (to learn that). I think we pretty much knew that when they made all the trades."

The key for the Nets was adding Joe Johnson to a backcourt that already had Deron Williams at the point.

"They have size at the guard spot," said Rivers. "They can post up 1 (point guard), which they will a lot. They’ll post up their 2 and they’ll post up their 3 (small forward Gerald Wallace). They’re powerful guards, and they create a ton of problems, and it also makes you have to double team, which again goes back to that defensive rebounding issue."

Williams’ scoring numbers are down, but that’s more a function of his teammates.

"I think he’s more relaxed," said Rivers. "Part of that is that he knows he doesn’t have to carry the load. The other part is he’s surrounded by better players so there’s less (defensive) help. You threw four guys at Deron (before). You can’t do that anymore."

Said Courtney Lee of the new Nets, "They moved from Jersey to Brooklyn. They got a couple of new players there, so that’s going to change a lot. They’ve got two All-Star caliber players on their team and Brook Lopez, who’s developing himself to be one of the top 10 big men in the league." ...

The Celts worked heavily on pick and roll defense today.

"To win titles, you take a lot of steps," said Rivers. "The first step for us was buying in, and I think we’ve done that. Now we’ve got to get it right. The second step is pick and roll. It never stops. I would love to find that team where there’s perfection. You show up and say, ’Guys, we have nothing to practice on.’"